Screw-driver



(No Model.)

P. OHANTRELL.

SCREW DRIVER.

Patented Nov. 27. 1888.

WITNESSES." i

ATTORNEY Pmmumu nhen wwi m a c.

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrin.

FELIX GHANTRELL, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA.

SCREW-DRIVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,419, dated November 27, 1888.

Application filed March 6, 1888.

To all whom, it may cancer-n.-

Be it known that I, FELIX OHANTRELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Head ing, in the county of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Screw-Drivers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates particularly to handtools, such as the screw-driver; and it consists in a means of connecting the shaft to the handle, which allows the latter to be turned in either direction and to move the shaft with it or not, as desired, the torsional strain on the shaft being conveyed directly to the heavy upper part of the handle, as fully described herein.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the device complete, the handle and shaft being shown out of engagement. Fig. 2 is a plan of the toothed sleeve. Fig.'3 shows an elevation and plan of the driver shaft or hit sepa rate. Fig. t is an equivalent form of drivershaft.

The driver-shaft B is a plain bar of steel, of suitable length and diameter, flattened at one end to fit a screw-slot, and drilled at the shank end to receive the central stem,O, which is forced intoit, and the spiral spring E, which surrounds the stem. Teeth B are cut in the annular edge, which is left standing. The sleeve D, preferably of malleable iron, has a ribbed or equivalent outside surface, D and fits loosely over the end of the driver-shank. An inside collar, D, in the upper end of this sleeve has a central hole, I), to suit the stem 0, a larger bore, D ,which serves as a pocket for the other end of the spiral spring E, and teeth DZadapted to gear with the teeth B on the end of the drivershank. The spiral spring being placed upon the central stem, O, and seated in the recessed shank, the sleeve is pushed over the end of the latter, the stem passing through the hole D". A head, 0, is then formed on the stem,and the sleeve is Serial No. 266,381. (No model.)

thus connected to the shank, on which it has a limited movement sufficient to throw the teeth 13 and D in gear,the spiral spring keeping them clear unless compressed.

The handle A is bored at the large end to admit, under pressure, the sleeve D, which has been attached to the driver-shafr,as above described,while the shaft passes loosely through the smaller bore of the reduced end of the handle. The ribbed or corrugated surface of the sleeve serves to make a tight fit in the handle and to insure its turning with the latter. The sleeve D is preferably driven some distance into the upper end of the handle, and the opening through which it is entered is closed by a plug of wood, F, which is pushed down against the top of the sleeve, its lower face being recessed to clear the head 0, when the teeth B and D are pressed into engagement.

If the shaft is formed with a shoulder, B", as shown in Fig. 4, the stem 0 may be dispensed with, as this shoulder will prevent the withdrawal of the shaft through the small bore of the handle. A wooden plug, F, lightly coated with glue, if desired, is pushed down against the sleeve, being dished in the center to clear the stem 0. The sleeve is thus immovably fixed in the heavy part of the handle,

while the drivershaft is loosely guided by the smaller end. The shaft maybe readily turned in either direction without moving the handle.

On pushing the point of the driver against a screw, however, the spring is compressed and the handle moved forward on the shaft until the teeth are in gear,when both are turned together. On relieving the pressure the handle may be turned again without moving the driver.

If the teeth are tapered, usis generally done, the turning of the handle tends to throw them out of gear. I therefore prefer to make them square, as shown, thus avoiding this trouble and permitting the driver to be turned equally well in either direction.

The stem 0 is not an essential part of my device, as will be seen in Fig. 4, which shows a driver-shaft formed with two diameters, the shoulder 13" being adapted to limit its movement by striking an offset in the bore of the handle. The construction shown in Fig. 3, however, is preferable. Neither is it necessary that the sleeve D should be of the exact shape or construction described.

I am aware that toothed sleeves have been used on a driver-shaft and handle adapted to be brought into gear by pressing a spring.

My device, as herein clearly shown and de scribed, has the advantages of great simplicity and economy of construction, and at the same time places the strain on the heaviest and strongest part of the handle.

I elai in as my in veution, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following:

1. A serewdriver or similar tool consisting of a handle in one piece bored throughout its length to two diameters,having a sleeve, D, fixed in the upper and larger bore, substan tially as described, a shaft extending through a small bore of the handle, and a spring, said sleeve being adapted to engage the shank end of the shaft, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The hollow sleeve D, fixed in the body of a handle,substantially as set forth, and formed with an interior collar with axial teeth or serrations D in combination with a shaft having a shank adapted to enter said sleeve and formed with corresponding end teeth or serrations, Bfland a spring, E,seated in the recessed end of the shank, all arranged and adapted to operate substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FELIX CI'IANLRELL. Witnesses:

ADAM B. Ruzsnn, Moimis H. Sonarnnn. 

